Here's the next chapter; hopefully you guys like it.

Please read, relax, and enjoy.

Warnings: some violence, not much, no blood.

Friendly Equivocations

Once he finished setting up camp and eating his supper, Glynn sat down to watch over Strider, now in an in-between state. He wasn't quite asleep, yet not coherent enough to be awake. Soon after Glynn settled down on the ground, Strider started mumbling. Glynn couldn't make out what he was saying nor did he care. The medicine was in its first stage. Soon, Glynn knew, it would move into the second stage. He didn't know exactly when; it was different in each person, but it always manifested in the same way, especially the first time. It was important, he knew, to keep a close watch on people who were unaccustomed to the powerful potion to make sure there were no ill effects from it.

He hadn't planned on caring for the young man today. His plans had been simple- go meet the rangers in Caugha, where he expected to see Strider. Thus, seeing the young man today had been a surprise. This fit his plans even better, he thought. If he remembered correctly, he thought, Strider should be twenty-one now. Though he still looked like a teenage boy, he had obviously changed quite a bit. No longer did he seem to be cocky and bent on status. Completing his mission, he told himself, might prove to be a little more difficult than he'd anticipated.

An unfamiliar noise broke his thoughts. Sitting up straighter, he placed his hand on the hilt of his sword as he quickly scanned his surroundings to place the noise. When it came again, he saw that it came from Strider, who was up and walking towards the horses.

'Strider,' Glynn rose to catch the man before he got to the horses and startled them.

'Quick Glynn,' Strider called excitedly. 'We must get to the rangers in Caugha. They need our help. Ada said there was an evil on the loose, a sorcerer. He is asking too many questions about my past. I have to save them. I have to safeguard the Shards. Ada warned me not to let Narsil out of my sight.'

Glynn couldn't make sense of much of Strider's crazed ramblings, but part of it did catch his attention, causing him to halt. Strider spoke of Narsil, the sword of Elendil. So he did bear it, but where, he wondered. He saw only the one sword Strider carried and he doubted the man would keep a broken sword at his side when the threat of danger lurked. Once again, a cry pulled him from his thoughts. This time it was Caladwen. Strider was trying to until her, but she was alarmed by her owner's drunk-like actions. Glynn saw her preparing to rise up. If she did, Strider would undoubtedly be caught underneath.

'Strider,' he called again. When the man paid him no heed, however, he ran and pulled Strider away by his shoulders. Struggling against the grip, Strider shoved his shoulder into his attacker. It caught Glynn unaware and he let go of Strider, who made it back to Caladwen as he recovered from the surprise. This time she did rise. Glynn realized he had just enough time to react. He grabbed hold of Strider and pulled the clueless man out of the way of the horse's falling hooves. As he pulled the man backwards, their feet became entangled. Glynn was able to maintain his balance until Strider, as unbalanced as he was before, stumbled, falling into Glynn. Strider landed on top, his sudden weight knocking the wind out of Glynn.

Dazed from the sudden movements, Strider didn't move for a few moments. Then he slowly rolled, tumbling limply to the ground. For a bit neither moved, then Glynn did. He glanced at Strider, satisfied that he still lived when he saw the moving of his chest. Still weak and sore from the fall, Glynn opted to leave the ranger where he laid. Strider, however, thought differently, as he finally moved. Rolling onto his side, he began to laugh.

'Wasn't that fun, Glynn,' he stopped laughing, though he still bore a huge grin that irked Glynn. 'Reminds me of my days in Rivendell, playing with my brothers. Ah, such wonderful times.'

'How do you feel,' the healer asked after a long pause during which he tried hard to check his growing anger and remind himself he'd done this.

'Fine, great, wonderful,' Strider rattled on. 'Let's go on to Caugha,' he rose, moving again toward Caladwen. Seeing her master approach, she backed up. Wordlessly, Glynn rose to grab Strider's shoulder once again.

'Not now my friend,' Strider said as he shook free of the grasp and continued on. 'We can't play anymore. We've got to be going.'

Frustrated by Strider's stubbornness, Glynn weighed his options quickly. He knew that he would lose in a fight against the man; the powerful drugs coursing through his veins had decided that. In the end, he decided it would be best to knock him out with a stick. Although it was crude, it was effective. At least, he thought, he could explain away a bruise; other things he knew he could not. Looking around, he found a branch nearby that would work and picked it up.

As he advanced on Strider, he heaved it over his shoulder. If he was lucky, Strider wouldn't turn around. Fortunately, his luck held until the branch collided with the man's head. Although it hit solidly, Strider didn't fall, leaving Glynn to wonder if he would. Glynn let out a sigh of relief when at last he watched Strider tumble to the side. He waited a moment before dropping the branch, though. Satisfied that Strider wasn't going to move this time, he walked over to check the damage he'd inflicted. Strider still lived, but he wouldn't be causing any more trouble tonight. In the morning, he would have a headache, but that was easily remedied.

After resting for a bit, Glynn grabbed Strider by his arms and dragged him back to his bed roll. Leaving Strider in a heap there, he sat down next to a nearby tree and leaned up against it. Strider had worn him out, but he couldn't let himself sleep. Even though the man was unconscious, the medicine was still coursing through his veins and could produce ill effects. He also worried that Strider, for some reason, might awake and seek to cause another stir.

The remainder of the night passed uneventfully for which Glynn was grateful. As the night wound on, he allowed himself to drift, yet kept a watch on Strider, but the unconscious man didn't begin to stir until dawn.

'Strider,' he called softly as he moved closer to the man. Strider answered him with a groan, his hand moving to his head, gently touching the side Glynn had hit. From where he sat, in front of Strider, he could see a bruise already beginning to form on his side, the red mark taking on a purplish hue.

'Strider,' he called again.

'It was not that I didn't hear you the first time, my friend, but that my head aches too much to answer,' Strider spoke softly. 'What happened?'

'You had an accident during the night,' Glynn told him. 'Took a hard fall while sleepwalking.'

'Sleepwalking?' Strider's voice rose though it caused him to wince in pain.

'Yes, you insisted on going on to Caugha last night. I'm afraid you terrified your horse. She rose and sent you flying back.'

As Glynn explained, Strider gently rose. He tried to keep his head from moving, but it felt as though someone had replaced his brain with wet, soggy towels that constantly sloshed, despite his tedious movements. Each time his head moved, he felt another drum of pain. When he was finally in a sitting position, he drew up his knees, folded his arms over top of them and laid his head to rest there. He sat there for a few moments, waiting for the heavy pounding to stop. Once it did, he spoke again.

'I have a vague memory of last night. I can recall being near Caladwen as you said. I was pulled from behind, but I got loose. As I got closer to Caladwen, she rose up and then everything went black.'

'Lift your head so that I can look at the wound,' Glynn commanded.

Strider sighed, but did as he was asked. Thankfully, it didn't look swollen. He then looked at Strider's eyes, checking to see if he still had a concussion. The lack of movement indicated he still did.

'How is your sight?'

'Fine. The wound hasn't affected it.'

'Good, it should heal nicely then.'

'That I am glad to hear, but I don't think I'll be able to continue on to Caugha today,' Strider said, laying his head back on his arms.

'We must go on though,' Glynn told him. 'We do not know how long they will be there. We must arrive as quickly as possible.'

'Aye, you've told me, but I can't ride with this headache. I fear the ride will cause me to faint.'

Hearing this, Glynn left Strider to ease his aching head and fetched his pack. As he return, he drew from it the same vial he'd given Strider last night.

'Take a drop of this,' he held of the vial. 'Once it begins to work, we can continue on.'

'What is it,' he asked. Glynn wasn't surprised by the question, this was normal. No one remembered taking it, especially in their first week.

'I've given it to you before, but you were dangerously wounded and only half conscious at the time. You likely don't recall it.'

Strider contemplated his words for a moment, but as the pounding increased, he opted to take the medicine offered. Not bothering to lift his head just yet, he stuck his hand out for the vial.

'Just a drop, mind you,' Glynn rose once he was sure that Strider would take the medicine. 'I'm going to pack things up. Once you take it, lie down and let me know when you feel well enough to travel.'

As Glynn left, Strider lifted his head and placed a drop of the liquid on his tongue. The instant it touched his tongue, his mouth was filled with a hideous taste and his mind with a vague memory of having tasted the same foul taste in his mouth, but he couldn't recall when. While he wished he could remember, he satisfied himself with the knowledge that Glynn was his friend and not interested in harming him. Heeding his friend's advice, he lay back down and waited for the paint to disappear. As he waited, he allowed his thoughts to drift and before he realized it was so deep in though, he didn't realize the pounding was gone.

'Strider,' Glynn shook the man gently, trying to bring him to reality. 'Strider,' he spoke sharper this time and had success.

'Whah?' The young man's eyes cracked open.

'How are you feeling?'

'Feeling?' Strider's brow bent in confusion.

'Yes, is your headache gone?' For a moment, Strider didn't say anything leaving Glynn to wonder if he had fallen asleep.

'Headache's gone.'

'We need to get going then. Are you ready?'

'Huh,' Strider had "dozed" off again, Glynn thought.

'Are you feeling okay to go on to Caugha?'

'Of course,' he answered, his eyes finally opening fully. Glynn saw their slightly unfocused appearance. He knew it wasn't from the concussion, but from the medicine. It had finally taken effect, but as with last night, it would be a bit before it reached its full potency and Strider felt its true effects.

'Horses are all packed,' Glynn said. 'We're ready to go.'

'Then lets go,' Strider agreed as he jumped to his feet. The movement was a bit sudden, however, and he swayed. As he worked to regain his balance, he found it difficult. At last, Glynn stepped in, placing a hand on his shoulder to steady him.

'Are you alright?' he asked.

'I'm fine. Just a bit light headed. Vision's a little blurry as well.'

'Side effect of the concussion you suffered last night,' Glynn quickly explained.

'That was my thought as well.'

'Do you feel well enough to go on?'

'Of course,' Strider shook himself free of the grasps of his friend. 'I said I'm fine. Come lets go,' he spoke harshly and began to move to his horse. Walking, he found was almost as difficult as standing for the ground kept moving. He wondered to himself, how Glynn managed to walk so easy. Perhaps, he reasoned, Glynn was accustomed to it. Maybe you didn't notice it when you were healthy. That had to be it; he knew there was a time before this when walking was not a problem. With Glynn's help, he made it safely to the horses. He felt himself mounting Caladwen and the slight jerk as she took off, trotting behind Glynn.

As they continued on, Strider began to feel better. Gradually the ground ceased moving about him and his sight cleared, as did his mind. He truly felt fine. In fact, he felt better than he had in a long time. Realizing that he was behind Glynn and that they were moving slowly, he urged Caladwen to use her speed.

As they passed Glynn, Strider called, 'Come my friend. We need not dally any longer. We are but a few hours away; our horses have speed, let us use it.'

Strider's sudden appearance and call caught Glynn of guard. It took a few seconds for Strider's words to sink it, but once they did, Glynn took off as well, moving fast to catch up with Strider, who himself had sped up. If they maintained this speed, Glynn estimated, they would arrive mid-afternoon. As he caught up, he slowed his horse to match Strider. The man turned to smile at him.

'I see you've caught up,' he spoke loudly over the horse's heaving pattering.

'Yes,' he answered, noting the same glint in Strider's eyes that he'd seen last night. It was working, he told himself. 'How are you feeling?'

'Great, never better,' Strider answered.

'Good,' Glynn added under his breath, smiling.